#istandwithpat

May 10, 2016

We applaud North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory for standing against the bullying from the Obama Department of Justice (DOJ) and its genderless society agenda. We believe that the governor is correct in filing suit against a federal government that is trying to radically redefine federal law so that men can have access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms and other public accommodations.

Yesterday, Gov. McCrory announced the state is seeking clarification of federal law in the courts, specifically as it applies to funding under Title VII. The Family Foundation of Virginia supports the governor’s efforts to protect the privacy and safety of women and children. We also adamantly oppose the overreach of President Obama and his administration.

“The Obama administration is bypassing Congress by attempting to rewrite the law and set restroom policies for public and private employers across the country, not just North Carolina. This is now a national issue that applies to every state and it needs to be resolved at the federal level,” said Governor McCrory. “They are now telling every government agency and every company that employs more than 15 people that men should be allowed to use a women’s locker room, restroom or shower facility. It’s time for the United States Congress to bring clarity to anti-discrimination provisions.”

But President Obama’s bathroom agenda is not just happening in North Carolina. As you know, here in Virginia, the Obama Department of Education has already decided to pick a fight with the Gloucester County School Board, insisting under its new “interpretation” of the word “sex” within Title IX that unless the school board allows boys and girls to enter the bathroom, changing area, or shower of their choice, that they are in violation of the law and risk losing all federal education funding!

Fortunately, the Gloucester court saga is far from over and the Gloucester School Board is standing firm, but there should have never been such a conflict to begin with. Policy decisions involving public health and safety matters like bathroom use have historically been a question left to the states. After all, “we the People” did not pass the 9th and 10th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution for nothing. But the federal government once again is creating an opportunity to insert itself and impose its own will upon all Americans in all fifty states.

If ever there was a time for Americans to stand up to abusive federal overreach, that time is now!

This incident also presents an opportunity for a much-needed conversation about the wisdom of our state legislators deciding to bind the Commonwealth to various federal funding programs (i.e. the money the federal government took from us). The federal government is increasingly using the continued receipt of those funds to extort Virginia into caving to its will – even when its endless demands are not in the best interest of Virginians.

Our founders knew that government functioned best when it was closest, and therefore most accountable, to the people. They also assumed that the states would jealously guard their constitutional authority to make certain decisions. When it comes to protecting women and children in public restrooms, changing facilities, and showers, Virginia – like North Carolina – has a duty to guard its constitutional authority by pushing back against this abusive federal overreach.

Local School Boards Teach Radical "Truth"

Local School Boards Teach Radical "Truth"

Boys and Girls are different. While compassionate policies for young people experiencing gender identity confusion and distress should be adopted, those policies should not deny biological facts. Those policies should not compel others to set aside their deeply held convictions and speak messages with which they disagree. And those policies should not violate the constitutionally protected rights of boys and girls to bodily privacy when undressing or changing.

You must get involved to accomplish these true and compassionate policies. Without you being involved at every step, more and more school districts will follow Loudoun and impose a policy that insists “They’re not males!” and that anyone who disagrees is equivalent to someone claiming that the Earth is flat.

SOCE Witch Hunt - Is Your Pastor the Target?

SOCE Witch Hunt - Is Your Pastor the Target?

The group I was part of was not evil. Its purpose was not to push young people to “change” their “sexual orientation.” The call to sexual purity promoted in that group was the exact same call made to any students: remain sexually pure and obey Scripture.

That call to remain sexually pure and obey Scripture is exactly what is being attacked by a conversion therapy ban.

The Future Looks Mad

The Future Looks Mad

Insisting upon reality will be considered a hate crime.

Don’t live up to those labels. Even as we stand for the truth, we should never hate any of these individuals. Everyone who is denying reality is motivated by something. Very often it is a deep confusion and pain that we can’t begin to comprehend.

We must love these, our neighbors, even when they deny reality. When they claim that our loving insistence on the truth is hatred, we must continue to stand for truth in love.